AmD Tuning to run a Ford Focus in the 2014 BTCC

AmD Tuning will make the switch from their Super 2000-specification Volkswagen Golf to a Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC)-spec Ford Focus ST for the 2014 British Touring Car Championship season.

The West Thurrock-based team have been granted one of the Championship’s TOCA BTCC Licences (TBLs) to compete next year, as an existing team which now has an NGTC-specification car with which to take part.

“Obviously it is fantastic for us to have been granted a licence for 2014 and beyond,” said team principal Shaun Hollamby. “The fact that the series organisers have selected us to receive a TBL is a great compliment, and shows that we have done a good job in recent seasons.

“Knowing we have an entry for the next three seasons has allowed us to make the investment in an NGTC car and we have high hopes for the 2014 campaign and beyond.”

AmD have purchased one of the Ford Focus STs which was developed by Motorbase Performance for the 2013 season, after evaluating a number of options, including building a car in-house.

“We looked at the various options that were available to us when it came to running an NGTC car, but it had to be a car that was a fit with our core business,” Hollamby continued. “We do a lot of work on Ford models and [team boss] David Bartrum at Motorbase is someone I have known for more than 25 years, so it made perfect sense for us on all levels to do a deal to run a Focus next year.

“The car is a proven race winner in the series and having served our apprenticeship in the last four years with our little VW Golf, the time has come to make the move up to the next level. To do that, we know we need the right package and that is exactly what we are getting with the Ford.”

The team will take delivery of the car before Christmas, and plans to announce its driver at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham in January.